Owner Performed Maintenance

The FAA Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) allow an aircraft owner with a pilot certificate to do a surprisingly large number of preventive maintenance operations on their aircraft without the benefit of an aviation technician's certificate. Being able to legally perform a preventive maintenance operation, however, and also having the knowledge and capability to do it correctly can be two different things. The Cessna Pilots Association (CPA) now offers an Owner Performed Maintenance Seminar to give the Cessna owner/operator the tools needed to learn more about their Cessna aircraft and become even more physically intimate with their aviation passion. The CPA instructors do an excellent job informing the CPA membership of the what, where, when, why and how owner performed preventive maintenance can be so beneficial to the life and enjoyment of operating an aircraft. CPA has available a "Tech Note" that addresses the legalities and items involved with owner-performed maintenance.

HOW DID WE (CPA) KNOW YOU, THE CESSNA PILOT/OWNER WANTED AN OWNER-PERFORMED / HANDS-ON / "TEACH ME HOW TO DO IT" MAINTENANCE CLASS?

Good question ... Here's what happened ...

Those association members who have attended the model specific system and procedure course have indicated their appreciation for the "Hands-On" portion of the class and asked if this part of the seminar could be extended. (For those you, ... you probably remember the long Saturday nights in the CPA hangar). CPA heard your cry and FEELS the demand that the Cessna pilot and owner wants to learn more about their aircraft and become more intimate with their plane. So, the Cessna Pilot's Association is offering an owner-performed maintenance course for the certified Cessna pilot. This two-day program covers all aspects of aircraft preventative maintenance as spelled out in FAR 43 Appendix A paragraph (c); including knowledge of aircraft servicing, lubrication & hardware identification, hydraulics and wheels & brake systems, engine oil & filter servicing, fuel screens and spark plugs servicing, and miscellaneous preventative maintenance items. The program includes both classroom and hands-on work, with actual membership aircraft being worked on & preventative maintenance being performed by the class attendees. The program is open to all CPA members, however attendees will be limited to 12, however, should there be sufficient demand, additional seminars may be added later in the year.